Food Science Technicians Salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Food Science Technicians in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV make a median of $104,600 a year, or about $50.29 an hour. The range runs from $52K at the entry level to $163K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.88), so that salary is closer to $96,069 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,246/month — about 34.9% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $105K get you in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
About food science technicians
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Entry-level food science technicians (10th percentile) start around $52K. Mid-career wages sit at $105K.Top earners bring in $163K or more - a $111K spread from bottom to top.
Food Science Technicians pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | $65K | +31% | 30 |
| Illinois | $64K | +29% | 390 |
| Virginia | $59K | +20% | 240 |
| Massachusetts | $57K | +16% | 130 |
| Missouri | $56K | +13% | 310 |
| Michigan | $53K | +8% | 130 |
| Tennessee | $53K | +7% | 90 |
| New York | $53K | +6% | 750 |
| Kentucky | $52K | +6% | 160 |
| New Jersey | $52K | +6% | 610 |
| Maryland | $52K | +5% | 270 |
| California | $51K | +3% | 4,000 |
| Minnesota | $50K | +2% | 340 |
| Wisconsin | $50K | +1% | 550 |
| Vermont | $50K | +1% | 40 |
Track food science technicians salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington-Arlington-Alexandria numbers change.
Related careers in Science
Frequently asked questions
How much do food science technicians make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median is $104,600 a year - that works out to about $50.29 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $51,550, and experienced food science technicians can clear $162,620. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $105K enough to live in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,327/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,246/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 35.5% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a food science technicians salary go in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria has a Regional Price Parity of 108.88 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median food science technicians salary is worth about $96,069 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do food science technicians get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.